ICC issues arrest warrants for senior Taliban officials

 

TT

 

Published 19.38Updated 21.05

 

Many schools for girls in Afghanistan have been closed following a decision by the country's Taliban administration. File photo. Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP/TT

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague is issuing arrest warrants for two senior figures within the Taliban administration in Afghanistan.

The ICC has named the Taliban’s Minister of Education, Habibullah Agha, and the Minister of Higher Education, Neda Mohammad Nadeem. They are accused of crimes against humanity stemming from the Taliban administration's oppression of women and girls.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban administration, condemns the court's decision and states that Afghanistan does not recognize any court designated as an "international court." Consequently, the country attaches no importance to the court's positions:

"We adhere to Sharia and its courts," Mujahid said in a written statement.

The ICC lacks its own police force and therefore relies on member states to carry out arrests should the ministers cross their borders.

The Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in August 2021 and has since imposed extensive restrictions and bans regarding the education of girls and women.